Believe it or not, the time is NOW to start planning your 2027 Disney World vacation, including your next hotel.

However, be aware that not every Disney World hotel is created equal in 2027.  Some have new perks and amenities to enjoy, while it may be wise to skip over a few others for the time being.

First, Let’s Talk About The BEST!

The BoardWalk Inn

Since Jellyrolls — the BoardWalk’s very popular longtime dueling piano bar location — shut its doors back in April 2025, the hotel’s nighttime offerings have been limited, taking away a big chunk of the appeal of staying at the resort. However, that’s going to change by 2027 thanks to Hurly-Burly! This new spot will offer two distinct experiences for guests. During the day, Hurly-Burly will act as a family-friendly venue with activities and trivia games. At night, it will transition to a 21+ live music venue with coastal-inspired cocktails and light bites. So far, Disney hasn’t confirmed if Hurly-Burly will be coming to the former Jellyrolls exact location, but the concept art and construction at the former site do seem to hint at such.

The BoardWalk will also see the opening of a new Basin location. Dubbed Basin on the BoardWalk, the new location for the longtime Disney partner will offer the expected curated collection of handcrafted products including natural soaps, botanical bath salts, bath bombs, body butters, lip salves, and shampoo and conditioner bars. There will also be interactive elements that make the experience more unique, including a custom bath tea blending counter, a make-your-own-soap station, and a soap embossing press for a personalized finishing touch.

Both Jellyrolls and Basin on the Boardwalk are scheduled to open before the end of 2026, meaning both should be available to 2027 guests from the first day of the year.

Yacht Club Resort

By 2027, the Yacht Club Resort should feel completely refreshed. For starters, two of its most popular eateries, Crew’s Cup Lounge and Yachtsman Steakhouse, both had refurbishments in 2026. The former reopened in the spring — with essentially the same layout and menu, with everything feeling fresh — while the latter is closed through August. Meaning both are scheduled to be running smoothly when 2027 begins.

In addition, the resort also had a long exterior refurbishment throughout 2026, so the New England-themed resort should be sparkling next year.

Swan & Dolphin Hotels

Speaking of the BoardWalk’s additions and the Yacht Club’s refreshed restaurants, both are within walking distance of the Swan & Dolphin Resorts. These iconic Michael Graves-designed resorts (which are located near EPCOT and Hollywood Studios) are home to over 20 restaurants and lounges, room service (two of only three hotels on Disney property which currently offer that perk), annual events like the Food & Wine Classic, and even perks normally associated with Disney’s own Deluxe Tier Resorts.

These Deluxe perks include:

• The ability to book Lightning Lanes 7 days in advance
• Early Entry to Disney’s theme parks
• Extended Evening Hours at select Disney theme parks
• Complimentary transportation
• On-site and online Disney tickets
• Advance tee times at Disney golf courses

Hotels to AVOID In 2027:

Art of Animation Resort

The popular Value Tier Resort will be undergoing a phased room refurbishment throughout the year. Beginning in the spring, the resort’s standard rooms and family suites will be transformed and modernized. While retaining the theme, the new Little Mermaid rooms will feature new under-the-sea prints and a Murphy bed — similar to the current layout of the rooms at Pop Century Resort — along with a seashell bed and chairs.

Furthermore, the company said that Imagineering and facilities are working together to maintain the feeling of stepping into a movie, which is obviously integral to rooms such as Cars and Toy Story. The resort will remain open throughout this refurbishment, but given the issues that come with construction, many guests may want to skip over the Value Tier Resort entirely until the refurbishment is complete.

Fort Wilderness Campground

Disney’s campground has been an integral part of the Disney World experience since (almost) the very beginning. However, the construction and summer 2027 opening of the massive Lakeshore Lodge Resort (which is located right near the campground, in the former location of the River Country water park), combined with the fact that the free water park day perk will NOT extend to Fort Wilderness guests next year, may mean it is best to sidestep the venerable resort next year.

Beyond your hotel, planning a 2027 Disney trip also means thinking about dining. Between the reviews, menus, and reservation strategies, it’s a lot to sort through. Our Guide to Disney World Dining pulls it all together so you can stop stressing and focus on the fun without feeling like you’re missing a thing!

The following Disney World hotels will also be undergoing varied refurbishment projects throughout 2027:

• Port Orleans Riverside: Through August 2027
• Beach Club Exterior: Through Late 2027
• Contemporary Resort-Wide: Through Late 2027

While the BoardWalk and Yacht Club are offering new and refreshed dining and entertainment options in 2027, not every hotel on property can say the same. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World tips.

This Mistake Could Ruin Your Disney World Hotel Stay (and It’s SO Easy to Make)

Planning a Disney World hotel stay in 2027? Let us know in the comments below.